Fellow NAISA members, (apologies for the lengthy post!)

As one more voice, I’d like to weigh in on our debate about whether to cancel our annual meeting as part of a larger Arizona boycott. SB1070 is draconian. But I am not sure that cancelling the meeting is our most productive action. The arguments of NAISA’s elected leadership for pushing forward are both critical of the broader political-economic ramifications of the bill and measured with regards to the survival of our organization. Like Aileen Moreton-Robinson, I see coming to “the belly of the beast” in order to articulate a strong stance as a legitimate option. I also second Leanne Howe’s reminder to be generous with one another. I have a few additional thoughts to add.

aloha kakou,
Derechos Humanos is at the forefront of organized protest of SB1070 and HB2281. You can learn about what they are doing and what they need by going to their website:
http://www.derechoshumanosaz.net/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

And you can make a positive contribution to the fight by making a donation.

If anyone else knows of other organizations or other ways to help, please post.

noenoe

http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/archive/93067139.html

http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/home/content/93068064.html

aloha kakou,
I received this through the Ford Fellows email list:

Dear friends,

Major League Baseball players and coaches are speaking out strongly against Arizona’s new anti-immigrant law, SB 1070. The MLB is more than 25% Latino, and they don’t want to play ball in a state where they and their Latino fans are subject to racial profiling.

These players need our support. Will you join me in demanding that Major League Baseball move the 2011 All-Star Game — now scheduled for Phoenix — as long as racial profiling is legal there?

http://presente.org/ref/125273/campaigns/mlb

May 6, 2010, The Chronicle of Higher Education

"Association Moves Ahead With Arizona Conference, Despite Qualms About Law," By Andrea Fuller

http://chronicle.com/article/Group-Moves-Ahead-With-Arizona/65431/

Dear Colleagues:

Like you, I have run the gamut of emotions over the state of Arizona's newest racist laws. I too have been mad, bad, sick at heart, and frustrated about what actions to take or not take. I want to work out the best ways to protest against a state machine that seeks to destroy everything we stand for as educators, artists, and scholars.

[UPDATE: The plenary session announced here is now scheduled for Thursday, May 20 after the opening at 8 PM and is open to the public. The schedule may change depending on availability of speakers, etc. The poetry reading that was to have taken place then, also open to the public, is now scheduled for Friday evening, May 21]

Sent to NAISA members by email May 6, 2010

Dear NAISA members,

A week ago yesterday, I posted a comment stating that I felt NAISA should honor the boycott. Though it has only been 8 days, it feels like far more time has passed.

NAISA's Council and Host Committee met one reasoned and heartfelt appeal after another with little change in plans.

aloha kakou,
Prof. Patrisia Gonzales provided this beginning of a list of good, noncorporate restaurants that we can patronize while at NAISA. Would other knowledgeable people please add to this list?

For those who can't stay at the Westin, we are looking into alternative lodging and will post something soon.